TOMAH – John H. Shutter, 88, of Tomah, passed away on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at his home. He was born on September 26, 1936, at the Sparta Hospital to Harold and Leila (Reekie) Shutter. In 1950, John was diagnosed with viral spinal meningitis. After laying in a coma for nearly a week, he awoke only to hear that he may never walk again. Fortunately, he fooled them all and fully recovered, thanks be to God. John was a member of Tomah Senior High School’s graduating class of 1954. He married the love of his life, Regina “Reggie” Treml, on November 24, 1962, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Luxemburg, Wisconsin. After 58 years and 11 months of marriage, Reggie preceded John in death on October 20, 2021. John served his country as a member of the Wisconsin National Guard for nearly 40 years, and then worked as a technician in Camp Douglas, Wisconsin. He was called for active duty during the Berlin Crisis with the 32nd Division in 1961, and for Team Spirit in Korea in 1987. He was awarded numerous medals and ribbons for his service, most notably the Overseas Ribbon in 1987, the National Defense Service Medal in 1991, and the Wisconsin National Guard Service Ribbon 32 times. After his retirement in 1996, John continued to stay busy by working at the Challenge Academy and Badger Challenge at Fort McCoy, at Hableman’s Marsh, where he spent 20 years helping with the cranberry harvest, and with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Reserve. John was also a proud member of the American Legion, the Red Arrow Veterans Association, and the Knights of Columbus since 1967. During his downtime, John enjoyed exercising at the Rumple Fitness Center at Fort McCoy, where he was able to meet and talk with many soldiers and their families. For the past 20+ years, John spent many mornings catching up over coffee with his friends and classmates at the local McDonald’s. This was something that both him and Reggie attended and looked forward to weekly. John was also an avid Wisconsin sports fan, and never missed an opportunity to attend or watch the Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Braves/Brewers play a game. What was most important to John though, was his family. To him, it wasn’t what was on the table that mattered, but who was around it - family, prayers, and love. It was often joked that his children and grandchildren got their “brains” from Reggie, who was an educator. Nonetheless, John was proud of the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren, and was proud to be the grandfather of a Harvard graduate. John will be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He will be deeply missed by all that had the honor of knowing him.
John is survived by a daughter, Joan (Matthew) Isono of Honolulu; 2 sons, Jeffrey (Delores) Shutter of Green Bay and Jon (Jennifer) Shutter of Boulder, CO; 4 grandchildren, Joshua, Jennifer, Ian, and Sadie; siblings, Gary Shutter sisters-in-law Dorothy Shutter; Joanne Treml, Pat Lufter, Rita DeGrave, Teri (Bill) Jerabek, and Kay (Gary) Grunwald; brothers-in-law, Ben (Barb) Treml, Victor (Linda) Treml, Mark (Cindy) Treml, Roland (Jean) Treml; and many other nieces, nephews, family, and friends.
John is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 58 years, Reggie; parents, Harold and Leila; his father-in-law and mother-in-law George and Mary Treml, a brother, Howard Shutter; brothers-in-law, Paul Treml, Darwin DeGrave, Eugene Blahnik, Butch Lufter, and Dale Davister; and sisters-in-law, Gloria Shutter, Veronica Blahnik, and Mary Davister.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, 11:00 A.M. at Queen of Apostles Parish at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tomah, Wisconsin. Father Ethan Hokamp will officiate. Family and friends are invited for a time of visitation from 9:30 A.M. until the time of the service. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Luxemburg, Wisconsin. A Parrish Rosary will be held at 9:30 A.M.
Online condolences can be sent to www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com. Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home will be assisting the family with arrangements.
